The Ministry of Transport, Works and Infrastructure has announced in a press release that government has reached an agreement with The General Transport Union (GTU) and other stakeholders to implement new transportation policy which includes the new route licensing scheme. As a result the implementation is taking effect today, April 11th.
This, the authorities said, came after the General Transport Union’s petition, making some proposals and demands in relation to the new measures by government. According to the release the issues agreed on cover the following: General increment of transport fares in all the approved routes nation-wide, reduction of tariff at the Sene-Gambia Bridge, operationalisation of the queuing system at the Port of Banjul and introduction of route licensing/permit.
The main objective of the agreements with the Union is to facilitate the smooth movement of people and goods in the country and beyond.
“Therefore, all transporters or operators wishing to ply route(s) covered in the route licensing scheme as indicated in the previous press release issued by this Ministry, are urged to register on or before Monday, 11th April, 2022,” the release stated.
The Ministry of Transport, Works and Infrastructure said it will be responsible for registration and issuance of permits and stickers for free at various garages across the Greater Banjul Area and West Coast Region.
Authorities warned drivers that failure to comply with this route licensing scheme operational framework will attract fines and penalties as prescribed in the Traffic Offences Act and its regulatory instruments.
“The Office of the Inspector General of Police through its Traffic Department is instructed to enforce this policy”.